bubbledog blog

merry thrift-mas to me

I was headed out to the mall today to do some holiday returns when I passed a kind of down and out thrift shop that I seldom frequent.  I've stopped there a few times in the past, but they never really have anything that I am interested in as they seem to cater more towards clothing as opposed to housewares (which are my thrift store item of choice).  Well, today I felt the urge to stop and it must have been fate calling.  After walking in and grabbing five pyrex bowls, four holiday mugs, four holiday plates, and a few other little doo-dads, I was heading back to my car with my bundles.  Everything is in really great shape and I am almost ashamed to tell you the total price... ok, I'll tell... $10.25!!!

miss piggy on skates

As ashamed as I am to admit this, last night I downloaded The Muppets Take Manhattan to watch... at 38 years old... by myself.  I can hear the trombones playing wah-wah-wah-waaahhh in the background as I admit that.  All shame aside... it was really fun to watch again!  I couldn't remember if I had seen it when I was a kid, but I instantly started to remember it when it started.  I was thrilled when the following scene came on... I remembered laughing so hard with my brothers when Miss Piggy is on the skates.  The clip goes on and on, but you should try and watch the first two minutes!

twas the night before christmas...

...and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except me... taking pictures for my blog!  I'm very excited for Christmas this year as this will be the first year that we will be hosting Christmas at our house.  We've spent the entire day today cooking & prepping the food, cleaning the house, and tweaking the decorations.  I really hope everyone has a good time tomorrow!  Here are some pics from my house... we're exceptionally proud of our garage sale score of an old "happy holidays" wooden cut out (missing the "s" though).  It was the perfect mantle piece for us!

Of course, to get all this decorating done, you need a lot of help... how could I have done it all without help from Poppy the Christmas elf? At 13 years old, she was patiently posing for this picture, but if she could talk, she would be channeling a Lethal Weapon style Danny Glover, "I'm getting too old for this s#!$"



         HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

free download: fox snowglobe card

Looking for a holiday card for your kids to make?  I am offering a free download of this snowglobe card with two little foxes building a snowman.  Print it, color it, cut it, maybe add a little glitter snow, and you'll be good to go!  I used colored pencils, markers, and a little crystal glitter to complete the card in the pic above. The finished card will fit in an A6 (4.75" by 6.5") envelope.  You can download the file here: Download Bubbledog fox snowglobe card

free domestic shipping through midnight saturday

According to the US Postal Service, Tuesday 12/20 is the last day to get packages in the mail to be delivered in time for Christmas.  I am offering my blog readers free US shipping through midnight on Saturday 12/17 for items in my etsy shop.  Just enter FREESHIP11 in the coupon code box when you checkout.  All items will be in the mail first thing on Monday morning!

indie shopping this holiday season

Yesterday was the Indiemade Craft Market in Allentown, PA... see above for awkwardly angled picture of my table.  I had a great time at the event and was kind of wiped out of a few items by the time the show was over.  This is the fourth year I have done that show and each year the business gets to be a little better.  Even better than that, each year that I go, I get to know some of the other vendors and customers a little more... so, it was kind of like a party where I also happened to be selling stuff! 

Many of my customers were commenting on how they are trying to buy as many gifts as they could from independent/small businesses this year... which is awesome!  If you are trying to avoid the malls and the mass produced stuff too, here is a list of some of the great vendors I got to hang out with yesterday.  You might check them out and see what they have to offer.  I have listed them alphabetically, but put an asterik (*) next to the vendors that have online shops that are currently open with items ready to be purchased:

*Anniepod Press - Diane makes beautiful etchings and linocut prints. 
Buttercup Jewelry - Danielle had a large assortment of great pendant necklaces in both glass and resin.
Crinoline - Jamie makes really cool felt creations... the owls are adorable!
Cute As A Button - Mandy makes really cute hair bows in tons of different colors and patterns.
Dandelion's Handsome Sigh - You will find some beautiful little handmade books here, but you need to check out the stuffed paramecium!
*Geekboy Press - Everyone knows someone that would like something from this pop culture inspired shop.
*Miss Podolsky - Esther makes a variety of crocheted items as well as some really cool paper accessories.
*Stitching In Socks - Stephanie makes a variety of vibrantly colored and beautifully sewn creations.
*Tadpole Creations - Renee has tons of cute appliqued items for kids and babies. I love the Matryoshka dolls!
*The Earth Purse - Christine has an amazing website with all of her beautifully handsewn products.